Food allergies

[5lilfish]

AHHHHH!!!

Sorry...this is probably going to be a bit of a ramble. I'm not even sure if I have a specific question. I would love to hear from anyone that has gone done this road....

DH and I have 5 kids. For family history, I don't handle milk well and I feel that I have developed issues with glutten///and i have Hashimoto's Disease (autoimmune). When our oldest (13) was younger, we used to have to limit his dairy intake or he would get constipated. Our 2nd and 3rd children (now 12 and 10) had to be switched to hypoallergenic formula. The 3rd child was never able to switch to milk and is essentially dairy-free (but she can have products that contain dairy...such as crackers, or bakes goods). Then we have our 3 yr old twins. I thought both of them did ok on dairy-based formula, but loooking back, they used to spit up A LOT. I didn't really make the connection to dairy because they were not fussy at all. At about 8 months old, one of the twins started dealing with constipation. She has battled it ever since. Miralax did little for her. It eventually got bad enough that we took her to a naturopathic doctor. She has been dairy free for about a month. The new doctor has also severly cut back her wheat intake (but not all glutten). I guess her blood work was normal but her Celiac panel was at the high end of normal. The doctor said if we retested she would probably test positive strictly because of the chronic constipation causing stress on her system but that the positive result would not necessarily be accurate. I asked if we would retest once we got the constipation under control. Being a Naturopathic doctor, it is probably not a surprise that she said, "If she feels better, why bother retesting..we will just keep her off of dairy and wheat." Well, that is easy for her to say but hard for us to live with. Obviously, if we need to do this, we will...but I want to know if we need to do this. I have 5 kids and we lead an active life. I will do whatever I need to for my child, but if she doesn't NEED to be on this strict of a diet, I am not going to put all of us through this for nothing. We currently have the constipation under control (for the first time in over 18 months)....not sure if it is because the lack of dairy, the cut back in wheat, the probiotics, or the magnesium suppliment...or all 4 things. I truly believe my daughter should never return to drinking milk and probably should not have the big dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt, etc), just like our 3rd child. I would, however, like to know if she can handle things with milk in it...like goldfish or cake. I know the Naturopathic will not give me her blessing to trying these foods. I like this doctor, so I will keep my follow up with her, but I have also made an appointment to see an allergist for testing. To give me even more to think about, yesterday, my daughter's face turned red and her eye got puffy. I've noticed this reaction a couple other times over the past 2 yrs. I'm not sure what caused it. I do not think she had dairy or wheat. She did have a handful of dairy free chocolate chips. She also had some food coloring (in halloween candy). To go with the red face, she complained that her stomach hurt. She pooped 3 times....the 3rd time was very explosive. After that, she felt better. Today she was fine.

I'll add that her twin does not battle the same problems. She did spit up as much as her sister as a baby. She also is prone to diaper rashes....but that is it. she is doing the same diet right now because it is impossible to keep her twin from sharing food.

I am at a loss...
Jess

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

Have you looked into Iritble bowel syndrome? Your daughter sounds alot like me. I am lactose introlanrt but can eat small amouts of dairy (goldfish, a hanful of cheez-its) and anything labled pasturized processed cheese product. I hope things work out for you. I did the glutten free thing for awile to try and balance out my body and it was really hard to find food!

 

[Christine]

Not sure you're dealing with food allergies here. I think going for testing with an allergist is a good idea though. My daughter did a lot of spitting up as a child but never had a dairy allergy. My son was on hypoallergenic formula for a host a reasons and he has a lot of food allergies but dairy is not one of them. It's really hard to try to figure out on your own.

Since your family seems to have chronic digestive issues with more than one child, I would definitely look more into the daily diet versus an allergy. Allergies, in general, don't cause constipation. Diet and motility issues do. My cousin's family all had constipation issues that rectified themselves with proper diet.

 

[5lilfish]

Not sure you're dealing with food allergies here. I think going for testing with an allergist is a good idea though. My daughter did a lot of spitting up as a child but never had a dairy allergy. My son was on hypoallergenic formula for a host a reasons and he has a lot of food allergies but dairy is not one of them. It's really hard to try to figure out on your own.

Since your family seems to have chronic digestive issues with more than one child, I would definitely look more into the daily diet versus an allergy. Allergies, in general, don't cause constipation. Diet and motility issues do. My cousin's family all had constipation issues that rectified themselves with proper diet.

I find this interesting because it goes completely against my personal experience and what I have read about dairy allergies.

Jess

 

[Christine]

I find this interesting because it goes completely against my personal experience and what I have read about dairy allergies.

Jess

I purposely typed "in general" in my statement because there are all sorts of experiences for different people. My experience with food allergies (both reading and people I know) have been more along the lines of the intestines reacting violently to a particular food with nausea and diarrhea (an attempt to rid the body of the allergen). I also know from reading the literature that constipation could be a result, albeit a less common one. I do think a food intolerance, rather than an allergy, is more apt to cause a more varied reaction.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I would consider Goldfish or any crackers constipating. Also cheese is VERY constipating.

 

[fimac]

Have you been tested for Celiac disease ? Given your Hashimoto's disease and problems with dairy. Celiac is genetic I would find out if you and your husband are both carriers of the gene.

I wish you luck on finding answers. It looks like you might have to rethink your family diet, at least as far as dairy is concerned.

 

[mjkacmom]

Mom of 5 here, one of my twins (they are the youngest) tested positive for celiac on one of the bloodtests, and tested positive to celiac and lactose intolerance on the biopsy (had to put her out, but not a big deal). I'd go for the biopsy, because with celiac, you have to be stricter than just a gluten intolerance (I can't just remove crutons from her salad, because of cross contamination). If she's negative, you can just try to eliminate gluten from her diet, but you won't have to be as strict, because damage to the intestines is not an issue. I let dd have dairy (I give her lactaid), because the worst that can happen is discomfort.

 

[minkydog]

I'm Just wondering why you aren't addressing this with a gastroenterologist. That would seem to be the next step, IMO. I'm like you, I wouldn't be comfortable not doing the repeat testing.

 

[sparklynails23]

Yesterday was an allergic reaction. Facial swelling with stomach cramps and diarrhea-- allergic reaction. As for the dairy, I would only re-introduce it under the advice of a doctor, especially for the child with facial swelling. That's more dangerous than the gastro symptoms.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

From what I understand about Celiac disease, it can certainly cause alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhea. Stomach cramps, bloating and fatigue are big signs as well, at least for me anyway. And yes, the diarrhea can be explosive like you described.

I understand your wanting a straight diagnosis for your daughter. Eating gluten free because you have Celiac is much different that eating gluten free because it might disrupt your gut. Celiac causes actual damage which can lead to other health issues (I'm anemic due to mine and have Hashimoto's as well). I'd make an appt. with a gastro. dr. and talk about re-testing her, especially since she has symptoms and a high normal Celiac panel. I'm not sure why they said testing her again would give you positive results due to the stress of constipation? If they biopsy her small intestine they'll be able to see if the villi shows changes or not. Being constipated shouldn't matter with that. Also, some patients with Celiac have a lactose intolerance while they are healing their intestines which can resolve once you've been on a gluten free diet for awhile. I wish you and your sweet daughter good luck with all of this.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Have you been tested for Celiac disease ? Given your Hashimoto's disease and problems with dairy. Celiac is genetic I would find out if you and your husband are both carriers of the gene.

I wish you luck on finding answers. It looks like you might have to rethink your family diet, at least as far as dairy is concerned.

I completely agree with this. Celiac is known to be hereditary, my Dad and sister are considering getting tested as well since they have very similar issues to mine.

Hashimoto's is an autoimmune disorder, as is Celiac. I've been told that mine are related, with the Celiac most likely causing the Hashimto's. Lovely, right?

Since I have to be gluten free, I cook that way for my entire family. It's much easier than making separate meals and then there's no risk of cross contamination. Yes it takes time and work to eat this way, it's not like you can just go through the drive-thru and grab something to eat. Gluten is one of those ridiculous hidden ingredients in many things...salad dressings, soy sauce, spices, chocolate, etc.

 

[5lilfish]

I'm Just wondering why you aren't addressing this with a gastroenterologist. That would seem to be the next step, IMO. I'm like you, I wouldn't be comfortable not doing the repeat testing.

We actually did see a Pediatric GI..just over a year ago. That is who ran the first round of blood tests (with the high normal celiac's result). unfortunately, the doctor was a jerk so we didn't go back. At the time, I sort of thought this would work itself out. It hadn't been going on as long back then and I just didn't know that it was going to become so chronic.

I definitely intend to get to the bottom of this now. I'm tackling it for 2 directions at the moment. The Naturopathic doctor, who has managed to give my DD some relief, and now we have an appointment for testing with an alergist. We'll see where the results take us.

It is good to hear from other people that have lived with food allergies. I do know that Hashimoto's and Celiac's are both autoimmune diseases and often exist together. Once I get my child taken care of, I hope to turn my attention toward pinning down exactly what I am dealing with. For now, as an adult, I can make mental notes of what foods bother me and avoid them. My DD is only 3 and she needs me to figure all of this out for her (with help from doctors, of course).

Thanks everyone...
Jess

 

[5lilfish]

Yesterday was an allergic reaction. Facial swelling with stomach cramps and diarrhea-- allergic reaction. As for the dairy, I would only re-introduce it under the advice of a doctor, especially for the child with facial swelling. That's more dangerous than the gastro symptoms.

Just to note...she hadn't had any dairy when she had this reaction. She has been off of dairy for a month. I almost wish that she had accidentally had some dairy so that I could blame it on that. Instead, I am left wondering what she did eat that she reacted too..and I am more frustrated and confused than ever.

Jess

 

[ready123go]

5lilfish,

I am not saying your kids/family have this, but I figured out that I have an inability to digest starch. Here's a link, maybe the info can help identify something (or at least eliminate something).

http://www.lowstarchdiet.net/readers.html

Best of luck!

 

[sparklynails23]

Just to note...she hadn't had any dairy when she had this reaction. She has been off of dairy for a month. I almost wish that she had accidentally had some dairy so that I could blame it on that. Instead, I am left wondering what she did eat that she reacted too..and I am more frustrated and confused than ever.

Jess

I understand that, but you also don't want to re-introduce a known allergen when she's reacting to something new. You want to do it when her system is completely stable and has been for a good couple of months, at least.

 

[ready123go]

These links might be more helpful

http://www.kickas.org/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=cfrm

http://www.everydiet.org/diet/low-starch-diet

 

[Mom-to-2-Princesses]

hi Jess

I understand how frustrating this is to you. My daughter was recently diagnosed as Glutose Intolerant. It was a long journey to get to that result with tests that I understood and made practical sense. From what I have read it takes an average of 10 years to get properly diagnosed!

Last spring she had lots of blood testing due to being "sick" for two months (she missed 19 days of school in the 4th quarter!) The blood work ruled out a lot and she was diagnosed with a mono-like-virus-that-isn't-mono. One of the tests she had done was for Celiac and she tested negative. So the doctor didn't read the rest of the test. Even though she was negative for Celiac she had very high antigliadin antibody (IgA) levels. (28 when the normal is under 10) This was discovered a little over a month a ago at a new doctor who specializes in preventive medicine.

So our new doctor ran a food allergy test called Alletess. It tested for 98 food items and each item was rated and then classified. A food item rated a 3 is the worse and my daughter tested a 3 for wheat, barley, gluten and coffee. She was a 2 for rye and had about 15 items as a 1 (dairy, yeast, cocoa, peanuts, carrots, brocolli). She will need to avoid the 3s for life. Currently she has to keep the 1s out of her diet for 3 months to get her body healthy again.

I guess what I am saying is that you should get your child tested for many items. If they have a food intolerance it will most likely be to more than one item. For us the good news was dairy wasn't a 3 so she will be able to reintroduce that into her diet. A lot of my daughter's friends drink coffee and if my DD did she would have experienced all the pain and we would have thought going Gluten free was a waste of time.

The Alletess gave me a higher comfort level because, as your doctor mentioned, the Celiac test can be distorted based on what you have been eating. And the biopsy is very invasive and while it will let you know the intestines/celia are flat and not operating properly you don't know if it is gluten or gluten/dairy or gluten and ??

Good luck with everything.